A TRIBUTE TO NICO

Nico found his way to us last October after his family moved away. At 14 years old and in poor physical condition, his chances for adoption were slim.He was a black Shepherd/Lab mix with a gray muzzle, not much to catch a potential adopter's eye. Nico had a history of roaming the streets during the day being careful to avoid the Animal Control truck. He was not happy confined to a kennel and he let us know it loud and clear!

There was something about Nico that you couldn't help but love. Nico loved to snuggle and lick your face and always seemed happy to see you. As time went by, Nico settled into a comfortable routine. With a good diet and supplements his physical health started to improve. Nico's stiff, awkward gait became a trot and his vocalizations were now happy ones.Nico was definitely a character. If it was a little past time for his breakfast, or you were late for his noon time walk, or heaven forbid, you forgot to give him his peanut butter filled Kong, he would not stop barking until you figured it out.

Nico certainly earned his keep while at the shelter. He was the self appointed greeter and demanded to be let out of his kennel when a new dog was brought in. Nico would go to the front of their kennel and go nose to nose with the new dogs. He was also used as a dog all volunteers could walk so often got hauled out of his kennel more than he may have liked. If a new dog was nervous and did not want to interact with people, we would bring Nico out too and he would somehow let the dog know it was okay. For a short time an older handicapped man came to the shelter once a week to visit and Nico would dutifully come out and stand by the man to be petted and lay his head on the man's lap.

One of my favorite things about Nico was when he was out in the field and saw me approach, he would start to make happy noises and run (okay, move quickly) over for a pat and kisses.

Nico left us on a Sunday afternoon while laying on his favorite comforter surrounded by people who loved him. I will miss you my friend.
 

Barron

1997 (?) - 2010

Barron the husky mix was found as a skinny stray - he doubled his weight while he was with us. During his first visit to the vet, he was found to have a tumor. Despite his age and questionable health, he was such a charmer that we decided to keep him with us so that he could experience a good life with people who loved him. He got the big double kennel, carpeted with blankets, soft beds and all the stuffed toys he could want (he favored a funny purple toy that he carried proudly). We had to put a limit on his walks because all the volunteers wanted a turn strolling down the road at his leisurely pace and his arthritic hips began to bother him. Barron passed away peacefully in his sleep sometime in the early morning of February 19, 2010. We'll miss our big furry friend.